Graduating FDM Students’ Works Celebrated at Sinulid 2025
Graduating FDM Students' Works Celebrated at Sinulid 2025
05 February 2025
On January 25, the 12th Floor Cafeteria at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Design+Arts Campus transformed into a vibrant stage for “Sinulid: Threaded Experience.” Graduating students from the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) program unveiled their collections, marking the culmination of years of creative exploration and craftsmanship. The event continued with an exhibit, curated by Benilde’s Center for Campus Art, at the 12th Floor Gallery, which opened on February 5 and will run until May 24. Both the runway and exhibit showcased Benilde’s dedication to nurturing creativity and preparing students for real-world challenges—a philosophy that’s distinctly “Like No Other.”
Sinulid goes beyond being a fashion show; it’s a visual narrative that captures personal journeys, societal themes, and daring creative expressions. This year, the show unfolded across four acts, each representing a unique theme and mood.
Act I: Honoring a woman’s multifaceted identity, this segment featured collections that conveyed tenderness through soft, flowing fabrics and courage through striking, angular designs. The transition from gentle pastels to bold, vibrant hues embodied empowerment and grace.
Act II: The runway challenged traditional gender norms and societal expectations, celebrating individuality and inclusivity. Designers delved into how identity is shaped by external influences and internal battles, creating pieces that embraced the beauty of difference.
Act III: Fashion became a platform for personal storytelling. Intricate hand-stitched details and luxurious fabrics reflected themes of identity, struggle, and triumph. This act showcased meticulous craftsmanship and designs infused with authentic narratives.
Act IV: Blurring the line between the living and the surreal, this segment featured garments that embodied imaginative and otherworldly expressions. Themes of identity, gender, and subconscious journeys were woven into designs that pushed creative boundaries.
The showcase was as much about storytelling as it was about fashion. Graduates confidently embraced their creative voices, crafting designs that were unapologetic and fearless. Following the successful runway show, the exhibit invites audiences to appreciate the heart and craftsmanship behind each piece.
Benilde President Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC praised the 34 graduating students for their creativity and hard work. He highlighted the balance between creativity and practical industry skills that Benilde’s FDM program cultivates, expressing confidence in the graduates’ potential to make their mark in the fashion world.
The event also emphasized collaboration across disciplines, a theme underscored by Ar. Harvey Vasquez, Dean of the School of Environment and Design. He pointed out how this year’s Sinulid embodied a blend of design fields, envisioning future partnerships between architecture, industrial design, and fashion. This synergy, he noted, is a promising direction for the design landscape in the Philippines.
The journey to Sinulid was profoundly transformative for the students, with their collections reflecting a year and a half of rigorous creative effort. Some designs were brought to life in just a few months, while others were the culmination of lifelong aspirations. The teaching methodology of Sinulid emphasizes hands-on and project-based learning, involving students in every phase of the design process, from research and ideation to execution and presentation.
Faculty members acted as mentors, balancing guidance with allowing students to take creative ownership. This approach fostered a culture of risk-taking, empowering students to challenge norms and trust their instincts. The result was a collection that demonstrated technical expertise while celebrating individuality and resilience.
Behind the scenes, the exhibition was brought to life through a collaboration with industry experts, including stylist Michael Salientes, exhibition designer Gabby Lichauco, lighting designer Jay Aranda, and editor-writer Ria de Borja. Their combined efforts created an immersive experience that seamlessly integrated fashion, art, and design.
As visitors explore the exhibit, they encounter stories stitched into every seam and embedded in every design. One graduate drew inspiration from a family business making salted eggs, another expressed their gender identity through bold creations, and yet another explored themes of heartbreak and recovery.
For more information on Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program, and other undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
